Sealable cable port assemblies for telecommunications enclosure

ABSTRACT

A sealing block assembly ( 110 ) protects telecommunications equipment from water and dust. The sealing block assembly ( 110 ) is disposed around a telecommunications cable ( 112 ), and the sealing block assembly ( 110 ) includes a housing ( 118, 218 ). The housing ( 118, 218 ) includes a first end ( 130, 230 ) and a second end ( 132, 232 ), the second end ( 132, 232 ) includes a plurality of movable fingers ( 128, 228 ). The sealing block assembly ( 110 ) also includes a seal ( 121 ) disposed within the housing ( 118, 218 ) between the movable fingers ( 128, 228 ) and the telecommunications cable ( 112 ). Further, the sealing block assembly ( 110 ) includes a clamp ( 122 ) disposed around the movable fingers ( 128, 228 ) of the housing ( 118, 218 ). The clamp ( 122 ) is configured to compress the movable fingers ( 128, 228 ) and the seal ( 121 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.62/164,999, filed on May 21, 2015, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Telecommunications systems typically employ a network oftelecommunications cables capable of transmitting large volumes of dataand voice signals over relatively long distances. The telecommunicationscables can include fiber optic cables, electrical cables, orcombinations of electrical and fiber optic cables. A typicaltelecommunications network also includes a plurality oftelecommunications enclosures integrated throughout the network oftelecommunications cables. The telecommunications enclosures are adaptedto house and protect telecommunications components such as splices,termination panels, power splitters, and wavelength divisionmultiplexers. Enclosures are sometimes installed underground and, due tothis location, the enclosures can be exposed to moisture and, sometimes,submersion in water. Other telecommunications enclosures that aresubject to moisture, and sometimes submersion in water, includeelectrical signals such as for coaxial or other coppertelecommunications signal transmission.

Telecommunications enclosures are typically sealed to inhibit theintrusion of moisture or other contaminants. Cables enter the enclosuresat sealed cable ports.

Improvements are desired.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to cable seals, cable port assemblies,and telecommunications enclosures. More particularly, the disclosurerelates to telecommunications enclosures including cable port assembliesthat seal cables entering the enclosures.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a sealing block assemblyfor being disposed around a telecommunications cable is disclosed. Thesealing block assembly includes a housing that includes a first end anda second end, the second end includes a plurality of movable fingers.The sealing block assembly also includes a seal disposed within aninterior of the housing between the movable fingers and thetelecommunications cable. Further, the sealing block assembly includes aclamp disposed around the movable fingers of the housing. The clamp isconfigured to compress the movable fingers and the seal.

The sealing block assembly preferably includes an outer containmentretainer secured to the housing at the second end that is configured tocontain the seal within the housing. Additionally, the sealing blockassembly preferably includes an inner containment retainer positionedaround the telecommunications cable and adjacent to the seal. The innercontainment retainer is positioned within the interior of the housingbetween the first and second end.

The first end of the housing is received by a cable port of atelecommunications enclosure or other equipment or device.

In accordance with an additional aspect of the disclosure, a method forassembling a sealing block is disclosed. The method includes wrapping acable with a sealing medium and inserting the cable into a sealinghousing that has a plurality of movable fingers at one end. The methodfurther includes positioning the sealing medium on the cable adjacentthe movable fingers of the sealing housing and securing a clamp aroundthe fingers. The method also includes compressing the fingers and thesealing medium by tightening the clamp.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows. The aspects can relate to individual features and tocombinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventiveconcepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of thepresent disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the presentdisclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use inconjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description.Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described inconjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denotelike elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top, rear perspective view of an example base of anenclosure defining cable ports at a first end at which four cable portassemblies are received;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top, front perspective view of the first end of thebase and the cable port assemblies;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a sealing block assembly;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the sealing block assembly ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sealing block assemblyalong line 5-5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sealing block assemblyalong line 6-6 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a sealing block assemblyhousing, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the housing of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates an end view of the housing of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 10-11 illustrate a front perspective view and a rear a perspectiveview, respectively, of an outer containment retainer of the sealingblock assembly of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 12-13 illustrate end views of the outer containment retainer ofFIGS. 10-11 and the housing of FIG. 7 during installation of the outercontainment retainer;

FIGS. 14-15 illustrate a front perspective view and a rear a perspectiveview, respectively, of an inner containment retainer of the sealingblock assembly of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of another sealing block assemblyhousing, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 17-21 illustrate the assembly steps of forming the sealing blockassembly of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts andassemblies throughout the several views. Reference to variousembodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto.Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are notintended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possibleembodiments for the appended claims.

In general, cables may be routed into an enclosure through one or morecable ports. The cables are mounted to cable port assemblies to securethe cables to the enclosure and to seal the ports around the cables.Certain types of cable port assemblies include seal block assemblies toseal the ports. The cables may be copper, fiber, hybrid cables, or othercables.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example base 100 of an exampletelecommunications enclosure assembly. A cover (not shown) closes theenclosure and typically houses telecommunications equipment. The base100 extends from a first end 101 to a second end 102. The base 100 alsoextends from a first side 103 to a second side 104. The base 100includes a sidewall 106 extending upwardly from a bottom 108 to definean interior 105. The base 100 is shaped and configured to cooperate witha cover to form an enclosure that defines the interior 105. When thecover is secured to the base 100, the cover inhibits dirt, water, orother contaminants from entering the enclosure. One or moretelecommunications components may be mounted within the interior of theenclosure.

The base 100 defines one or more cable ports 109 at the first end 101 ofthe base 100. Each cable port 109 is configured to receive a sealingblock assembly 110. Cables 112 are routed into and out of the enclosurethrough the sealing block assemblies 110. In the example shown, the base100 includes seven ports 109. In other implementations, however, thebase 100 may include a greater or lesser number of ports 109. Input andoutput cables may be routed into the base 100 through the ports 109. Asused herein, the terms “input” and “output” are used for convenience andare not intended to be exclusory. Signals carried over cables 112 maytravel in either or both directions. Accordingly, cables 112 routedthrough any of the ports 109 may carry input and/or output signals. Insome embodiments, the cables 112 may be copper wire cables.

In some implementations, at least one of the ports 109 has a differentsize and/or shape from at least one other port 109. In the exampleshown, one of the ports 109 defines an oval or oblong cross-sectionalprofile, and the other six ports 109 define round cross-sectionalprofiles. In other implementations, each of the ports 109 may have anydesired cross-sectional profile. In still other implementations, one ormore of the round ports 109 may be larger or smaller than others of theround ports 109. Ducts 114 extend through the first end 101 of the base100 to define the cable ports 109.

FIG. 2 shows first end 101 of the base 100. The ports 109 are shown toprovide access to the interior 105 of the enclosure. Some of the ports109 can include a sealing block assembly 110 secured within the port109. The sealing block assemblies 110 are configured to seal each portaround each cable 112. In the depicted embodiment, the sealing blockassemblies 110 are secured within each port 109 by way of a locking clip116. The locking clip 116 is configured to engage the sealing blockassembly 110 to prevent axial movement between the port 109 and thesealing block assembly 110. In some embodiments, the locking clip 116 isflexible so as to be slid over the sealing block assembly duringinstallation. Other forms of securement may be provided in addition to,or instead of, the locking clip 116.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the sealing block assembly 110. Thesealing block assembly 110 is configured to surround the cable 112 andprovide a sealing bather around the cable 112. Specifically, the sealingblock assembly 110 provides a seal between the sealing block assembly110 and the port 109 and also a seal between the cable 112 and thesealing block assembly 110. The sealing block assembly 110 can beconfigured to be inserted in and removed from the port 109 multipletimes to ease installation and maintenance. Further, the sealing blockassembly 110 is configured to be assembled at a work site by atechnician, allowing the technician to work on each sealing blockassembly 110 outside of the enclosure.

The sealing block assembly 110 is configured to utilize a housing 118that includes an external seal 120 to complete a seal between thesealing block assembly 110 and the port 109 of the enclosure.Additionally, the sealing block assembly 110 utilizes a clamp 122 aroundthe housing 118 to compress the sealing block assembly 110 around thecable 112 to create a seal between the sealing block assembly 110 andthe cable 112.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the sealing block assembly 110. Thesealing block assembly 110 includes the housing 118, the external seal120, an inner seal 121, the clamp 122, an outer containment retainer124, and an inner containment retainer 126. Additionally, in someembodiments, once installed in the port 109 of the enclosure, thesealing block assembly 110 includes the locking clip 116 attached to anend of the sealing block assembly 110.

The housing 118 is configured to receive and house the components of thesealing block assembly 110. In the depicted embodiments, an end of thehousing 118 includes a plurality of fingers 128 that are movable. Thefingers 128 aid in creating a seal around the cable 112 (discussed withrespect to FIGS. 17-21). The fingers 128 preferably extend in alongitudinal direction parallel to a cable axis. Preferably, the fingers128 are not connected at distal ends.

The external seal 120 is positioned around the housing 118 so as tocreate a seal between the sealing block assembly 110 and the port 109 ofthe enclosure. The seal 120 is flexible so as to conform to the port 109and the housing 118 to create a complete seal. In the depictedembodiment, the external seal 120 is a rubberized O-ring. In someembodiments, other types of seals are used, such as gel seals,inflatable seals, sealants, or gaskets.

The inner seal 121 is positioned between the cable 112 and the housing118. Specifically, the inner seal 121 is flexible and positioned aroundthe cable 112. In the depicted embodiment, the inner seal 121 is a wrapmastic in the form of a tape wrapped multiple times around the cableuntil the desired thickness is achieved. In other embodiments, othertypes of seals may be used, such as gel seals, inflatable seals,sealants, or gaskets. The inner seal 121 is configured to be positionedaround the cable 112 and compressed around the cable 112 by the fingers128 of the housing 118 and the clamp 122 (discussed with respect toFIGS. 17-21).

The clamp 122 is configured to be positioned around the housing 118 toaid in creating a seal between the cable 112 and the sealing blockassembly 110. In the depicted embodiment, the clamp 122 is a hose clamp;however, a variety of different clamps may be used. In the depictedembodiment, the clamp 122 is be tightened by rotating a screw 123located at a clamp head 125. The screw 123 controls the diameter of aclamp band 127. The clamp 122 is positioned around the housing 118,specifically around the fingers 128, and tightened to compress thefingers 128 and the inner seal 121 around the cable 112.

The outer containment retainer 124, or cap, is positioned around thecable 112 at an end of the housing 118, adjacent the inner seal 121. Theouter containment retainer 124 is secured to the housing 118 in order tocontain the inner seal 121 within the housing 118. The outer containmentretainer 124 helps to prevent the inner seal 121 from expanding orsliding outside of an end of the housing 118 when under compression bythe clamp 122. Additionally, the outer containment retainer 124 aids inhelping reduce axial movement of the cable 112 with respect to thesealing block assembly 110. In some embodiments, the inner seal 121 isattached to cable 112 and, in such an instance, when an axial (orpulling) force is applied to the cable 112, the inner seal 121 contactsthe outer containment retainer 124, thereby helping to prevent the cablefrom moving in an axial direction with respect to the housing 118.

The inner containment retainer 126 is positioned around the cable 112and within the housing 118 when the sealing block assembly 110 isassembled. Specifically, the inner containment retainer 126 ispositioned on an opposite side of the inner seal 121 than the outercontainment retainer 124. Accordingly, the inner containment retainer126 and the outer containment retainer 124 cooperate to help retain theinner seal 121 within a portion of the housing 118, specifically theportion of the housing 118 containing the fingers 128.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the sealing block assembly 110.The housing 118 has a first end 130 and a second end 132. At the firstend 130, the housing 118 is shown to include the external seal 120positioned around the housing 118 and the locking clip 116 attached tothe housing 118.

At the second end 132 of the housing 118, the clamp 122 is showncompressing both the fingers 128 and the inner seal 121 around the cable112. Additionally, the outer containment retainer 124 and the innercontainment retainer 126 are shown positioned on opposite sides of theinner seal 121. In the depicted embodiment, the housing 118 is alsoshown to include a rib 134 secured within the housing 118 proximate tothe fingers 128. The rib 134 is configured to penetrate the inner seal121 to aid in sealing the sealing block assembly 110 from the entry ofmoisture from around the inner seal 121. In the depicted embodiment, therib 134 is configured to form a 360 degree ring that completelyencircles the cable 112. Also at the second end 132, the outercontainment retainer 124 is secured to the housing 118. The outercontainment retainer 124 includes a rib 136 that is configured toprevent the fingers 128 from being overly compressed. The rib 136 actsas a controlled stop of the fingers 128. The rib 136 is configured topenetrate the inner seal 121 to aid in sealing the sealing blockassembly 110 from the entry of moisture from around the inner seal 121.In the depicted embodiment, the rib 136 is configured to completelyencircle the cable 112, forming a 360 degree ring.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of multiple sealing block assemblies110 positioned within the ducts 114 that define the ports 109 of theenclosure. As shown, the housing 118 is configured so that only aportion of the housing 118 fits within the duct 114, specifically, thesecond end 132 of the housing 118 is sized so that it cannot passthrough the duct 114 and into the interior of the enclosure. Byconfiguring the housing118 is this way, the oversized second end 132 andthe locking clip 116 on the first end 130 prevent the sealing blockassembly 110 from moving axially within the duct 114. This preventsaccidental removal of the sealing block assembly 110 from the enclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the housing 118 of the sealing blockassembly 110. The housing 118 has a generally cylindrical shape. At thefirst end 130, the housing 118 includes an external seal recess 138 anda locking clip recess 139. The external seal recess 138 is configured toreceive the external seal 120 (as shown in FIG. 5). The locking cliprecess 139 is configured to receive the locking clip 116 (as shown inFIG. 5).

At the second end 132 of the housing 118, the fingers 128 are disposed.The fingers 128 are generally disposed around the perimeter of thehousing 118, generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing118. The fingers 128 define the outer diameter of the second end 132 ofthe housing 118. The outer diameter of the second end 132 of the housing118 is larger than the outer diameter of the first end 130 of thehousing 118 (as shown in FIG. 6). The housing 118 can include any numberof fingers 128 so long as they are partially flexible, or movable, andstrong enough to withstand a compression force exerted by the clamp 122.Additionally, the fingers 128 are separated by gaps 129. When fullyassembled, the inner seal 121 of the sealing block assembly 110 can flowinto the gaps 129 between the fingers 128, thereby increasing theoverall seal with the housing 118.

In the depicted embodiment, the second end 132 also includes a pair ofposts 140. The posts 140 provided rigidity to the housing 118.Specifically, the posts 140 prevent the clamp 122 from over-compressingthe fingers 128 when the sealing block assembly 110 is assembled.Additionally, the posts 140 provide a mounting location for the clampband 127, clamp head 125, and the outer containment retainer 124.Specifically, the posts 140 include a clamp recess 142 configured toreceive the clamp head 125 or clamp band 127. The clamp recess 142 helpsto retain the clamp 122 in a fixed position around the fingers 128 andprevents the clamp 122 from sliding longitudinally along the housing.The posts 140 also include an outer containment retainer recess 144 thatis configured to receive a portion of the outer containment retainer 124so as to provide a mounting location for the outer containment retainer124 to be fixed to the housing 118.

FIG. 8 shows a partial cutaway for the housing 118. The inside of thehousing 118 includes the rib 134 and an inner containment retainer lip146. The rib 134 is a raised ring disposed around the housing 118,inside the fingers 128. In some embodiments, the rib 134 can include aplurality of small protrusions 148 so as to easily configure the rib 134to penetrate the inner seal 121 (as shown in FIG. 5). In otherembodiments, the rib 134 has a sharpened edge.

The inner containment retainer lip 146 is a ledge on the inner surface147 of the housing 118. The inner containment retainer lip 146 isconfigured to receive the inner containment retainer 126 and prevent theinner containment retainer 126 from traveling through the housing to thefirst end 130. Specifically, the inner containment retainer lip 146provides a physical stop for the inner containment retainer 126 so thatthe retainer 126 is not forced by the expanding inner seal 121 in adirection toward the first end 130.

FIG. 9 shows the second end 132 of the housing 118. The fingers 128 eachmove differently when under force by the clamp 122. This is due to posts140 resisting movement when under force by the clamp 122. Therefore, tocounter this behavior by the fingers 128, the second end 132 includes aplurality of different inner diameters and outer diameters whenuncompressed so as to distribute the desired force on particular fingers128, and, therefore, the inner seal 121 (not shown). Specifically,because the posts 140 are configured to resist movement, the fingers 128a positioned further from the posts 140 are moved a greater distancethan the fingers 128 b positioned closer to the posts. Therefore, aninner diameter ID3 on the fingers 128 a is greater than an innerdiameter ID2 and an inner diameter ID1 due to the increased movementwhen under force by the clamp 122. Further, ID1 is less than both ID2and ID3. In some embodiments, once under compression by the clamp 122,some inner and outer diameters may be equal depending on clamping forceexerted on the second end 132 by the clamp 122. Also, in someembodiments, the outer diameter OD2 is greater than the outer diameterOD1 and also greater than the outer diameter OD3.

FIG. 10 shows the front of the outer containment retainer 124, and FIG.11 shows the rear of the outer containment retainer 124. The outercontainment retainer 124 includes a pair of arms 150 positioned at theperiphery of the outer containment retainer 124. The arms 150 are curvedand include hooks 152. The arms 150 are configured to cooperate with thehousing 118, specifically the outer containment retainer recesses 144 ofthe posts 140, so as to secure the outer containment retainer 124 to thehousing 118. The hooks 152 are configured to lock the outer containmentretainer 124 to the outer containment retainer recesses 144 of the posts140.

The outer containment retainer 124 also includes a pair of tighteningwings 154 fixed on a front face 156 of the outer containment retainer124. The wings 154 are configured to aid rotating the outer containmentretainer 124 during installation and removal.

The outer containment retainer 124 also includes the rib 136 projectingfrom a rear face 158. In some embodiments, the rib 136 can be sharpenedfor easy penetration of the inner seal 121 (as shown in in FIG. 5). Therib 136 has a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the inner seal121 but less than the outer diameter of the inner seal 121.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show the outer containment retainer 124 duringinstallation to the housing 118. The outer containment retainer 124 ispositioned around the cable 112 near the second end 132 of the housing118. The rib 136 is then inserted into the inner seal 121 until the rearface 158 is positioned against the inner seal 121. The outer containmentretainer 124 is rotated by using the wings 154 until the arms 150 areseated within the posts 140 (as shown in FIG. 13). The hooks 152 thensecure the outer containment retainer 124 to the posts 140, preventingaccidental removal of the outer containment retainer 124 from thehousing 118.

FIGS. 14-15 show front and rear perspective views of inner containmentretainer 126, respectively. The inner containment retainer 126 isconfigured to be positioned around the cable 112 and positioned withinthe housing 118 between the inner seal and the first end 130. The frontface 160 of the inner containment retainer 126 is configured to makecontact with the inner seal 121 (as shown in FIG. 5) so as to resistflow of the inner seal 121 when the inner seal 121 is compressed by theclamp 122. The front face 160 is further configured to rest on the innercontainment retainer lip 146 of the housing.

As shown in FIG. 15, the inner containment retainer 126 includes cablefixation supports 162 at the rear of the inner containment retainer 126.The cable fixation supports 162 are configured to help secure the innercontainment retainer 126 to the cable 112 so that the inner containmentretainer 126 helps to prevent axial movement of the cable 112 withrespect to the housing 118. Because the inner containment retainer 126is fixed to the cable 112, between the inner seal 121 and the innercontainment retainer lip 146, the inner containment retainer lip 146resists axial forces applied to the cable 112 by pressing against theinner seal 121 and the inner containment retainer lip 146.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a housing 218, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. The housing 218 can be a part ofan alternative sealing block assembly, similar to the sealing blockassembly 110. The housing 218 has a generally oval or oblongcross-sectional profile and is configured to be placed within an ovalshaped port on the base 100 of an enclosure (as shown in FIGS. 1-2). Atthe first end 230, the housing 218 includes a plurality of recesses 238that are configured to receive external seals and/or locking clipmechanisms, similar to the external seal 120 and locking clip 116 shownin FIG. 4. At the second end 232, the housing 218 includes a pluralityof housing ports 201 that each include a plurality of fingers 228. Suchfingers 228 are similar to the fingers 128 of the housing 118 as shownin FIG. 7. Each housing port 201 can be configured to receive a separatecable 112. Each cable 112 can be individually sealed within each port201 by using an assembly similar to the sealing block assembly 110 asshown in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, not all housing ports 201 areoccupied by a cable.

FIGS. 17-21 show the process of assembling the sealing block assembly110. As shown in FIG. 17, the inner seal 121 is attached to the cable112. In the depicted embodiment, the inner seal 121 is a wrap mastic.The inner seal 121 is wrapped around the cable 112, creating a generallycylindrical seal. In some embodiments, the inner seal 121 is stretchedwhen first wrapping the cable 112 and also stretched when finishing thewrapping of the cable 112. The inner seal 121 is wrapped around thecable 112 until a desired outer diameter of the inner seal 121 isachieved. After the inner seal 121 is attached to the cable 112, theinner containment retainer 126 is secured around the cable 112 adjacentto the inner seal 121.

As shown in FIG. 18, the cable 112 with the inner seal 121 and the innercontainment retainer 126 is inserted into the housing 118. In someembodiments, the outer diameter of the inner seal 121 is greater thanthe inner diameter of the majority of the fingers 128 of the housing118. Therefore, because the fingers 128 are movable and flexible, thefingers 128 can be flexed outwardly when inserting the cable 112 withthe inner seal 121 attached thereto. In some embodiments, the innercontainment retainer 126 is placed within the housing 118 first and thenthe cable 112 with the inner seal 121 attached thereto is insertedthrough the inner containment retainer 126 as the cable 112 is insertedthrough the housing 118. As shown in FIG. 19, the cable 112 is insertedinto the housing 118 until the inner seal 121 is positioned within thehousing 118, proximate to the fingers 128 and the posts 140. As shown inFIG. 20, after the inner seal 121 is positioned within the housing 118,the outer containment retainer 124 is secured to the second end 132 ofthe housing 118, specifically to the outer containment retainer recesses144 of the posts 140. As shown in FIG. 21, after the outer containmentretainer 124 is secured to the housing 118, the clamp 122 is securedaround the housing 118. The clamp 122 is tightened by reducing thediameter of the band 127 by rotating the screw 123 on the head 125 ofthe clamp 122. The clamp 122 is positioned within the clamp recesses 142of the posts 140, and the clamp 122 is tightened to a desired tightnessso that a desired seal is created between the inner seal 121 and thecable 112.

After the sealing block assembly 110 is assembled, the sealing blockassembly is ready for installation into a duct 114 of the enclosure.Once in the duct 114, the locking clip 116 can then be secured to thefirst end 130 of the housing 118, thereby completing the installation ofthe sealing block assembly 110.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the claimsattached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize variousmodifications and changes that may be made without following the exampleembodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, andwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

PARTS LIST

-   100 base-   101 first end-   102 second end-   103 first side-   104 second side-   105 interior-   106 sidewall-   108 bottom-   109 cable port-   110 sealing block assembly-   112 cable-   114 duct-   116 locking clip-   118 housing-   120 external seal-   121 inner seal-   122 clamp-   123 screw-   124 outer containment retainer-   125 clamp head-   126 inner containment retainer-   127 clamp band-   128 finger-   129 gap-   130 first end of housing-   132 second end of housing-   134 rib-   136 rib-   138 external seal recess-   139 locking clip recess-   140 post-   142 clamp recess-   144 outer containment retainer recess-   146 inner containment retainer lip-   147 inner surface of housing-   148 protrusion-   150 arm-   152 hook-   154 tightening wing-   156 front face of outer containment retainer-   158 rear face of outer containment retainer-   160 front face of inner containment retainer-   162 cable fixation support-   201 housing port-   218 housing-   228 finger-   230 first end of housing-   232 second end of housing-   238 recess

1. A sealing block assembly for being disposed around atelecommunications cable comprising: a housing including: a first endbeing configured to be received in a port, and a second end including aplurality of movable fingers; a seal disposed within the housing, theseal being positioned between the movable fingers and thetelecommunications cable; a clamp disposed around the movable fingers ofthe housing, the clamp being configured to compress the movable fingersand the seal; an outer containment retainer secured to the housing atthe second end, the outer containment retainer being configured tocontain the seal within the housing; and an inner containment retainerpositioned around the telecommunications cable and adjacent to the seal,wherein the inner containment retainer is positioned within the housingbetween the first and second ends.
 2. The sealing block assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising an external seal positioned around the firstend of the housing.
 3. The sealing block assembly of claim 1, whereinthe first end of the housing is configured to receive a locking clip. 4.The sealing block assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer containmentretainer includes a rib that is configured to penetrate the seal.
 5. Thesealing block assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a ribthat is configured to penetrate the seal.
 6. The sealing block assemblyof claim 1, wherein the seal is a wrap secured around the cable.
 7. Thesealing block assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer containmentretainer is positioned over the cable at one side of the seal, and theinner containment retainer is positioned over the cable on an oppositeside of the seal.
 8. The sealing block assembly of claim 1, wherein theinner containment retainer includes a cable fixation support, the cablefixation support being configured to secure the inner containmentretainer on the cable.
 9. The sealing block assembly of claim 1, whereinthe seal has an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of themovable fingers of the housing.
 10. The sealing block assembly of claim1, wherein the housing has a generally oval shaped cross-section. 11.The sealing block assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing has agenerally circular cross-section.
 12. The sealing block assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the sealing block assembly is watertight.
 13. Thesealing block assembly of claim 12, further comprising a plurality ofports positioned at the second end of the housing, wherein the each portincludes a plurality of fingers.
 14. A method for assembling a sealingblock; wrapping a cable with a seal; inserting the cable into a housing,the housing having a plurality of movable fingers at one end;positioning the seal on the cable adjacent the movable fingers of thehousing; securing a clamp around the fingers; and compressing thefingers and the seal by tightening the clamp.
 15. The method of claim14, further comprising securing an outer containment retainer to thehousing prior to compressing the fingers.
 16. The method of claim 14,further comprising securing an inner containment retainer to the cableadjacent to the seal.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprisingsecuring an external seal around the housing.
 18. The method of claim17, further comprising securing the sealing block assembly within a portof an enclosure, wherein the external seal is positioned between thesealing block assembly and the port of the enclosure.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, further comprising attaching a locking mechanism to an end ofthe sealing block assembly.